Hey guys, I'd like to thank you all so much for the amazing reviews. This is the last chapter and I have to say I'm sad to end it. But it's time. Anyway, thanks again. I'm so happy that you all loved this story. And please be sure to read my new one!
Chapter 16
"I'm not going. I look fat," Brooke complained for the tenth time that night.
"Brooke, you look amazing. You're thinner than me," Haley assured her.
"My hair is all wrong," she continued.
"It's perfect."
"And these heels are already starting to hurt."
"Brooke, will you stop it? You look gorgeous. Lucas is going to have a heart attack when he sees you. And besides, what is it you're always telling me? Beauty is pain."
"I lied." Haley just laughed at her friend's silliness. She knew the real reason why Brooke was all nervous. Tonight was the Centennial Ball and Brooke was finally ready to tell Lucas how she felt. They had celebrated their one month anniversary just the other day.
"It's going to be ok. He loves you."
"I hope you're right, Tutor Girl. I've never felt this way about any other guy. It's just scary. I don't know how you and Nathan do it."
"Do what?" Haley questioned as she fixed her dress in the mirror.
"Open up to one another. Especially since the two of you hated each other in the beginning," Brooke explained. "Although, I could totally detect all that hidden sexual tension."
"Brooke," Haley warned.
"I'm just saying. It was only a matter of time before you jumped each other's bones," Brooke laughed.
"We did not jump each other's bones," Haley clarified.
"Oh, you know what I mean," Brooke replied with the wave of her hand. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"HALEY! BROOKE! The boys are here!" Haley's mom Lydia shouted from downstairs. They all decided to meet at Haley's house—the obvious reason being that Nathan lived right next door. This way, the guys and girls could get ready together and meet up quicker.
"Showtime," Haley announced. With one last glance in the mirror, the girls made their way down the stairs.
Nathan was talking to Lucas about joining the team next year. Much to Nathan's satisfaction, Lucas was starting to come around to the idea. Even though they lost the finals—since a certain someone (Damien) hadn't worked on his free throws—Nathan knew they'd make it if he joined them. Their conversation was soon interrupted when the girls finally came down. Brooke was first. Nathan had to suppress a laugh when he saw Lucas's dumbstruck face. Brooke was wearing a sky blue, spaghetti strap gown that accentuated all her curves—while showing a little leg.
"You look amazing," Lucas complimented his girlfriend.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Brooke replied while giving him a quick peck on the mouth.
"Where's Hal…." Nathan trailed off when he saw his girlfriend come down. His jaw almost hit the floor. She was absolutely gorgeous. Haley had on a floor length golden gown. The top was strapless with sparkles on it. The bottom part flowed down to the floor with what looked like silky material. Her hair was curled and one side was partly pulled back with a jeweled beret.
"Wow," was all Nathan could choke out. "You look…"
"Thanks," Haley replied. She could see that her boyfriend was at a loss for words. Definitely the affect I was going for.
"Ok kids," Lucas's mom Karen called. She, along with Deb, was there to see their children off. "Let's get you all together for pictures."
"Great," Lydia exclaimed. "Now Nathan, Haley, why don't the two of you go over there."
"Mom, can you please hurry up? We're going to be late," Haley started to complain.
She had worked really hard to make this dance amazing. And by God, she was going to see the end result.
"The limo is here," Deb announced from the window. Haley gave her mom a pointed look before she finally took the picture. After the mothers were done taking pictures and cooing about how their kids grew up so fast, they all went outside to greet their other friends.
"Bevin, you look hott," Brooke shouted as she hugged the blonde.
"Damn straight she does," Skills said as he went over to greet Nathan and Lucas. Bevin had gone with Haley and Brooke to watch the guys play one afternoon. To everyone's surprise, she and Skills automatically clicked.
"Mouth, lookin' good. And Gigi, that dress is awesome," Haley complimented.
"Thanks. I decided to be bold," Gigi replied.
"Big Daddy Nate," Tim hollered.
"Just say hi, Tim," Nathan laughed. After greetings and compliments were exchanged, the group started to take their seats in the limo. They chatted and laughed the whole way there. Nathan and Haley also managed to sneak seductive glances to one another without anyone else noticing. Once they arrived, they headed to their table and began to enjoy the night.
"Everyone having a good time?" Principal Turner said into the microphone halfway through the ball.
"Yeah," replied the crowd.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the young woman responsible for this great event—Miss Haley James." People cheered and Haley clung closer to Nathan. He smiled at seeing her face turn pink from the attention.
"And without further ado, Coach Durham is now going to announce who was voted Mr. and Miss Time Zone," Principal Turner stated.
"Hello everyone. It seems like you kids are all enjoying yourselves. You know, I haven't seen this many happy students since that day the school caught fire and everyone thought that it was going to burn down," Whitey joked. The crowd laughed. "Anyway, enough with my rattling on, the votes are in."
"I wonder who won?" Theresa whispered to the group. "The guy will probably be Damien. As for the girl, I have no idea." Haley turned her head to see Damien. He was fixing his suit—getting ready to accept his crown. What a jerk, she couldn't help think. She also thought Rachael would have been there trying to make another move on her boyfriend. But that was until Haley found out that the evil redhead had gotten expelled for stealing a calculus test from one of her fellow tutors. That had been the highlight of both Haley and Brooke's week. At hearing Whitey's voice in the microphone, Haley's thoughts were brought back to the present.
"Mr. Time Zone is…Nathan Scott," Whitey announced. Everyone in the group was shocked—especially Haley. It wasn't that Nathan didn't deserve it, it was just that she didn't know how popular Nathan had become. He actually beat out Damien. That was a big achievement in Haley's mind. She gave Nathan a quick kiss and pushed him towards the stage. He was definitely in shock. As for Damien, Haley noticed with much satisfaction that it looked like he was going to cry. Serves him right! Haley quickly turned her attention back to Nathan on stage and cheered as he received his crown. He's so hott when he's embarrassed.
"Ok everyone, settle down," Whitey said into the microphone. "It's time to announce Miss Time Zone." Nathan tried his best to look normal. He had no idea that he would win—nor did he care. The only good thing that came out of this was the fact that he beat Damien. He looks like he's about to cry. What a big baby! Nathan dropped that train of thought when Whitey was about to announce Miss Time Zone. He hoped it was Haley. He didn't want to have to dance with some other girl in front of her and everyone else. As Whitey opened the envelope, Nathan found himself saying a silent prayer.
"And Miss Time Zone is…" Whitey paused for affect. Haley, among others, was holding her breath. "Haley James!"
"Oh my God!" Brooke exclaimed. "Tutor Girl, you rock!"
"Go Haley!" Lucas cheered. Haley, who could feel her face turning red, made her way to the stage. After the crown was placed on her head Nathan surprisingly pulled her in and kissed her. Catcalls and whistles could be heard from the crowd—which included their friends. Once the kiss ended, they left the stage and stood in the middle of the dance floor when Gavin DeGraw's "More Than Anyone" played.
"I love this song," Haley exclaimed. Nathan laughed at her excitement. He then pulled her closer to him.
"You look beautiful tonight," Nathan stated looking into her eyes. "I don't know if I told you that."
"I figured as much. When your jaw dropped I took that as a good sign," she laughed.
"Well, you do," he insisted.
"You look handsome, too," Haley complimented him as she rested her head on his chest. A comfortable silence descended upon them as they continued to dance to the song.
A few minutes later the rest of the students began dancing, also.
"Thank you," Haley said.
"For what?"
"For going along with my outrageous plan," Haley replied looking up into his gorgeous blue eyes. She could feel herself getting lost in them.
"Well, thank you for putting up with me. I probably wouldn't have stayed on the team if it wasn't for you."
"Well I would have had to deal with Damien and his enormous ego."
"I'd be stuck with Peyton bitching and moaning," he retorted playfully. Even though they were in love, the verbal banter they had shared over the years never completely disappeared. And Nathan hoped that it never would.
"I wouldn't have a date for the dance," she threw back.
"I wouldn't have even come."
"Damn it. You won," Haley pouted. Nathan laughed in response. Despite how hard she tried not to, Haley smiled. She couldn't help it. She had finally found the perfect guy. As Haley looked over Nathan's shoulder, she saw Brooke quickly give her a thumbs up—her signal that she told Lucas she loved him and he felt the same way. This instantly caused a huge smile to form on Haley's face. She couldn't have been happier for her friends.
"I just have one more question for you," Nathan announced breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Shoot."
"When do I get that money you promised me?" Nathan said with a straight face.
"I didn't promise you money. And even if I did, I'm not sure if you've been successful in making everyone jealous," Haley played along.
"Really?" Nathan replied. He then leaned his head down and gave Haley the most earth-shattering kiss she had ever experienced. She had to practically cling to Nathan so that her legs wouldn't give out. "How was that? You think they're jealous enough yet?"
"Absolutely," she answered as she pulled his lips back to hers.
Nathan and Haley were finally happy. Not only had they succeeded in making their exes jealous, but they also found a friendship and love that had been long forgotten. Most people would never have believed that they would end up together. They always would drive each other crazy. But that's the way they wanted it—always and forever.